“The Supreme Court on Tuesday dealt a blow to a California law that requires anti-abortion clinics to post information about where women can obtain a low-cost procedure and contraception from the state,” per The Hill on Tuesday.
Crisis pregnancy centers (sometimes also called “pregnancy resource centers”) are typically staffed by committed pro-lifers, providing material resources, counseling, and in many instances access to some medical services to women in need facing an unplanned pregnancy.
In 2015, the state of California enacted a law to force these centers to inform women where they could also find an abortion provider outside of their clinic or center. Pro-life opponents argued was a form of government-compelled speech.
And it seems like a slim majority of the Supreme Court agreed: “In a 5-4 ruling, the court said that the notices for licensed facilities likely violates the First Amendment and notices for unlicensed facilities unduly burdens protected speech.”
Jor-El Godsey, president of the major pregnancy resource center network Heartbeat International, issued a statement praising the Court’s decision:
“Today’s decision is a tremendous win not only for free speech but for human life. Thanks to today’s ruling, California’s 200-plus pregnancy centers can continue to serve women and children, unburdened by the unconscionable demands of the abortion lobby. This is an unquestionably major triumph for U.S. pregnancy centers working to save families from the sting of abortion.”
Justice Clarence Thomas delivered the opinion of the court, joined by Roberts, Kennedy, Alito, and Gorsuch.
